Connect Global Procurement Strategy with Japan Market Execution
Are you ready to grow your procurement career in a role that connects global strategy with local execution? We are looking for an Associate Manager, Procurement Operations to execute procurement activities for raw and packaging materials in Japan, in alignment with global and regional Procurement Portfolio strategies.
This role plays a critical interface between Procurement Portfolio teams, Japan-based business stakeholders, and local suppliers. Japan is a unique market within our global network, with Japan-specific products, local manufacturing needs, and a strong base of domestic suppliers. As a result, successful procurement execution requires not only operational excellence, but also strong local market understanding and cross-cultural communication.
You will help translate global and regional procurement strategies into practical execution in Japan, while providing local supplier, market, and business insights back to Portfolio teams.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
•Execute procurement activities for raw and packaging materials in line with global and regional Procurement Portfolio strategies
•Manage day-to-day supplier relationships, supplier performance, issue resolution, and supply continuity
•Support commercial negotiations including pricing, contracts, terms, and cost improvement initiatives
•Provide Japan market, supplier, and cost-driver insights to support Portfolio Team decision-making
•Act as a bridge between Procurement Portfolio teams, Japan business stakeholders, and local suppliers
•Support supplier identification, evaluation, qualification, and onboarding in collaboration with Portfolio, Quality, R&D, and Supply Chain teams
•Mitigate operational supplier risks including capacity, quality, service, cost, and supply disruption risks
•Partner cross-functionally with Supply Chain, R&D, Marketing, Finance, and regional/global Procurement teams
•Support new product development, Japan-specific product needs, and sustainability initiatives
•Help ensure that global and regional procurement strategies are implemented effectively in Japan's unique market environment
WHY THIS ROLE?
•Japan Market Impact - Support procurement execution for products and suppliers that are closely connected to the Japanese market
•Global and Regional Exposure - Work with Procurement Portfolio teams, regional stakeholders, and global functions
•Cross-Cultural Interface - Act as a key bridge between overseas teams and Japanese suppliers/stakeholders
•Operational Ownership - Drive execution, supplier engagement, and issue resolution in a complex local market
•Career Growth - Build experience across procurement operations, direct materials, supplier management, and regional collaboration
WHAT YOU BRING
•3+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, supplier management, or supply chain
•Experience with direct materials, packaging, FMCG, chemical, or manufacturing environments is preferred
•Strong supplier management, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
•Ability to understand cost drivers, supplier issues, and local market conditions
•Strong execution capability with attention to follow-through, detail, and business impact
•Ability to communicate effectively across local and regional/global teams
•Business-level Japanese and English communication skills
•Experience working in cross-functional and global environments
•Korean language skills are a plus
WORK ENVIRONMENT
•Location: Yokohama, Japan
•Work style: Hybrid work available, up to 2 days work-from-home per week
•Travel: Approximately 10%, mainly within Japan
SC Johnson has been leading with purpose for 140 years, building high-quality products and iconic brands found in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide – including OFF!®, Raid®, Glade®, Windex®, Scrubbing Bubbles®, Ziploc®, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day®, method®, Autan®, Baygon®, Mr Muscle®, Duck®, Lysoform® and more. The 13,000 people of our global, fifth-generation family company are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations.
